Hello all, just posted my intro over in the newbies thread. My wife is on her first solo trip to a dog show in Georgia and as best I can tell over the phone it seems the shore power is not charging the house batteries, they are now drained and won't start the generator. The house batteries are new; tested the old ones and they were shot so I replaced them last month. Engine start batteries are OK and the engine starts fine so she can limp home later today and running engine does charge the batteries because she was showing a full charge when she got to the show Thursday evening after a 4 hour run.

She will get home this evening and I can start actual troubleshooting. I'm thinking the inverter/charger is the culprit so my plan is to test the output voltage as suggested on several threads here and if it not putting out +/- 13.8V I'll probably replace it. Any other suggestions or help will be much appreciated.

I'm thinking the inverter/charger is the culprit so my plan is to test the output voltage as suggested on several threads here and if it not putting out +/- 13.8V I'll probably replace it.

Wouldn't jump immediately to replace (unless you are looking for an excuse to upgrade).

- Shorepower needs to make it thru the transfer switch to the circuit breaker box
- Circuit breaker needs to be on, and voltage make it thru to the input of the converter.
- Converter needs to be turned on
- Breaker on output of converter needs to not be tripped.
- Some converters (mine included), need at least a minimum voltage on the batteries ....... or it won't go into charge mode.
- If there is a battery disconnect or fuse between the converter and the batteries, needs to be checked for continuity. Check also for corrosion on the cabling.

Wouldn't jump immediately to replace (unless you are looking for an excuse to upgrade).

- Shorepower needs to make it thru the transfer switch to the circuit breaker box
- Circuit breaker needs to be on, and voltage make it thru to the input of the converter.
- Converter needs to be turned on
- Breaker on output of converter needs to not be tripped.
- Some converters (mine included), need at least a minimum voltage on the batteries ....... or it won't go into charge mode.
- If there is a battery disconnect or fuse between the converter and the batteries, needs to be checked for continuity. Check also for corrosion on the cabling.

Thanks, when I get my hands on it I'll be checking input/outputs and fuses/breakers. A question on the "Converter needs to be turned on"; I thought this was automatic. I think my converter is under the counter below the stove/cabinets (can hear the cooling fsn on occasion) but I do have an on/off button on a remote control panel in the front of the coach but I thought that was the inverter function only?

dwfisk, First question does your coach have the option 2000 watt inverter?

Yes, I think it does. The coach & all the manuals are 4 hours north of me in Perry, GA (my wife is on a solo trip) but there is a Dimension(I think) inverter located in the passenger front AV cabinet ( to the right of the TV) with a line power indicator, on/off switch & indicators. I thought the manuals said to keep it turned off so it is not on, just showing line power connected.

Hello all, just posted my intro over in the newbies thread. My wife is on her first solo trip to a dog show in Georgia and as best I can tell over the phone it seems the shore power is not charging the house batteries, they are now drained and won't start the generator. The house batteries are new; tested the old ones and they were shot so I replaced them last month. Engine start batteries are OK and the engine starts fine so she can limp home later today and running engine does charge the batteries because she was showing a full charge when she got to the show Thursday evening after a 4 hour run.

She will get home this evening and I can start actual troubleshooting. I'm thinking the inverter/charger is the culprit so my plan is to test the output voltage as suggested on several threads here and if it not putting out +/- 13.8V I'll probably replace it. Any other suggestions or help will be much appreciated.

I wonder if the salesman's switch (battery disconnect) is turned OFF. that just happened to a fellow here at our RV park. be sure that switch is ON (meaning the batteries are ON)

Thanks for the advise but it sounds like things are getting worse or at least more complicated. When she was shutting down the sat dish system the antenna stopped in mid-retraction and we figured out that all power has been lost to all/most 110V recepticals, but the AC heat pump seemed to be working fine so shore power is getting into the coack. Tried to walk her through the breakers, etc., no luck so I just had her connect the sat system control power supply to shore power via a regular old 110V extension cord, cycled the sat antenna and got it stowed. Fortunately engine electrics, etc., are not impacted at all an she is on the run home now. Not getting ahead of myself but I'm starting to wonder is a faulty automatic transfer switch (if the AC runs power is getting past the ATS) or more likely the load center/distribution unit might be the real culprit.

dwfisk When you get the coach home very systematically note what is working and what is not 12vdc loads like the lights and 110VAC loads like the AC units and microwave.
If you have the 300 watt inverter up front next to the TV it only powers the entertainment stuff and maybe the satellite dish control. If the coach batteries are low it will shut off.

I would start the motorhome and then start the gen set this should give full power to every thing. then bring down your sat. I called Winnebago when we where having problems with our slides and it worked because the alternator will work. They said when entering a new campsite leave the motor on level and put out the slides and let the big alternator do its job. Then shut down. The same when leaving the camp site. If she has trouble starting the coach have her use the switch to mate all three battery. hope this helps

Probably no help here but I wondered if I could ask a relevant question. If the coach batteries are low or dead, will shore power bring the slides in? Does not seem to work that way on my 04 32' Brave.

__________________
2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, GP, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with GSXR 1100T or KLR650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!

Hello all, just posted my intro over in the newbies thread. My wife is on her first solo trip to a dog show in Georgia and as best I can tell over the phone it seems the shore power is not charging the house batteries, they are now drained and won't start the generator. The house batteries are new; tested the old ones and they were shot so I replaced them last month. Engine start batteries are OK and the engine starts fine so she can limp home later today and running engine does charge the batteries because she was showing a full charge when she got to the show Thursday evening after a 4 hour run.

She will get home this evening and I can start actual troubleshooting. I'm thinking the inverter/charger is the culprit so my plan is to test the output voltage as suggested on several threads here and if it not putting out +/- 13.8V I'll probably replace it. Any other suggestions or help will be much appreciated.

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